Sports
Former FIFA World Cup Star Christian Lara Arrested For Armed Robbery
Dramatic footage has emerged of a former World Cup star being kicked and punched by angry bystanders after he was allegedly involved in an attempted armed robbery. The incident relates to ex-Ecuador international Christian Lara, who played at the 2006 World Cup.
Covered on national television, amid the drama, the 45-year-old was attacked by onlookers. Police then bundled him into a patrol car as he was seen handcuffed outside an electronics shop in Quito, Ecuador. It’s alleged that the retired midfielder took part in an attempted armed robbery.
Lara played for Ecuador on 28 occasions between 2002 and 2009, and spent most of his club career with C.D. El Nacional, winning the Liga Pro Ecuador Serie A in 2005, while also lifting that prize twice more in 2007 and 2010 with LDU Quito
Police Statement After 2006 World Cup Star Arrested
The incident saw heavily armed police forced to shield the ex-international from angry members of the public. Taking place in the La Magdalena neighbourhood, a man identified as Lara, known by the nickname ‘Diablito’ or ‘Little Devil’, was one of six alleged robbers who were arrested following a gunfight with suspects during the failed hold-up. Presumably, his nickname relates to his height – at 162 cm, he was the shortest player to play in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Per the Daily Mail, police later released images of the detained suspects lined up after the incident, with Lara pictured wearing dark trousers and a red and black hoodie. Photographs of weapons seized during the operation were also shared as part of an official statement. Police chief Pablo Lastra said:
“I can confirm we have apprehended four individuals who allegedly participated in an attempted robbery of a technology store in a neighbourhood in the Ecuadorian capital Quito called La Magdalena.
“Officers responded to an emergency call and thanks to the quick response, managed to foil the crime at the store called Tecnomega. Approximately six individuals with firearms entered the premises with the alleged aim of committing a robbery.
“As well as the four suspects, we have seized three guns, including a home-made mini-rifle. We have also recovered several firearm cartridges and a number of electronic items.”
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Lara Last Played For Ecuador in 2009
Despite spending most of his career in Ecuador, Lara did play in the Qatari League, Colombia and Mexico. He played just twice at the 2006 World Cup, picking up 21 minutes as a substitute against England in his nation’s 1-0 defeat at the round of 16 stage. His last international outing came in a loss against Chile in 2009.
Reports claim the ex-footballer was intercepted in a ‘getaway’ car waiting outside the shop. The video of his arrest showed cops pouncing on him in the driver’s seat of a vehicle and marching him to a nearby police car in handcuffs. The other three men arrested have been named locally as Luis Alberto Mera Martinez, Wilter Ramón Cedeno Marciklo, and Medina Lombeida Jose Eduardo.
Police Chief Lastra confirmed that Lara was among the detainees, saying it would now be up to public prosecutors to decide whether to lay charges.
Sports
Lewis Family Release Tottenham Statement After Avoid Relegation
The Tottenham Hotspur owners have released a short statement in response to the disappointing 2025/26 season that ultimately ended on a positive note with the club avoiding relegation to the Championship on the final day of the campaign.
A disastrous Premier League season, in which Spurs had three different head coaches, ended with a minuscule amount of positivity with the win over Everton ensuring the Lilywhites were not relegated from the top flight for the first time in nearly 50 years.
The Lewis Family, who own and run the club, have come in for plenty of criticism throughout not only this season, but previous seasons, with protests after the final whistle against Everton aimed at the ownership.
Lewis Family send clear message of intent
But in a message to the supporters, the Lewis Family have pledged their allegiance to the cause, stating they have no intention of selling the club.
The statement read: “To the fans. As owners of 25 years, we have lived the highs and lows of Spurs with you.
“Finishing 17th this and last season does not reflect the stature or potential of this football club. We are bitterly disappointed and share your frustration. You, and we, expect more than this. We know this must never happen again.
“Our approach to running the club is, and has been, to trust the experts to do that, while backing them to be successful. The problems we found were deeper than we realised and were allowed to build over the last few years. We know that has eroded trust and we have to win that back. As owners, we take ultimate responsibility for the situation in which the club finds itself.
“We also take responsibility for rebuilding Spurs. Our ambition is to recapture the spirit of the club and bring back the excitement, the fearlessness and the bold football we have always felt defined us. That means football comes first. The Board and Executive team have laid out their plans to meet this ambition.”
Lewis Family are planning for the future
The move was made, with seven games of the season to go, to sack interim head coach Igor Tudor and bring in Roberto De Zerbi on a permanent deal in the hope the Italian could save the club from relegation.
He duly did that, but he will now require the full backing of the baord to ensure such a season never happens again and that he can push Spurs up the Premier League table where they belong next season and beyond.
And the Lewises say they are committed to doing just that.
The statement continued: “This will require investment – in our teams, the academy, our backroom functions and more – and we are fully committed to this. We are not selling the club. We are all in. We are investing in it. You will see more of this in the coming months.
“We care deeply about Spurs. The rebuild the club needs, and you deserve, has begun. The change required is deep. It will take time and commitment, but change is happening.
“We know that actions will speak louder than words.”
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Sports
Man City’s Relegation Odds For 2026-27 Premier League Season
The relegation odds for the 2026-27 Premier League season have been released, and Manchester City’s chances of going down to the Championship are eye-opening.
City currently have the huge issue of 115 charges hanging over them. Respected football insider Hand of Arsenal – who recently revealed that Guardiola would be leaving Man City, with Enzo Maresca replacing the revered Catalan coach at the Etihad Stadium – claimed on Tuesday that the verdict will be delivered in the coming weeks.
Man City could potentially face a huge punishment if found guilty of violating financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. Some experts have suggested a 60-point deduction could be imposed, while others believe the club could even be stripped of past Premier League titles.
“What do I think the outcome is going to be? I think Manchester City are going to be found liable, in breach of something,” a sports lawyer recently said after speaking with barristers working on the case. “With the number of charges there are, I don’t think they are going to get away with this.”
Premier League 2026-27 Relegation Odds
Amid the uncertainty, the bookmakers believes City have a better chance of being relegated than the likes of Brighton, Newcastle United and even Tottenham, who survived the drop by the skin of their teeth this season.
While newly-promoted sides Hull City (1/4), Coventry City (8/13) and Ipswich Town (4/6) are the red-hot favourites to be relegated, according to SkyBet’s odds, City’s odds of 14/1 are significantly shorter than the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool, who are all priced at 150/1.
Here are the full 2026-27 Premier League relegation odds in full:
|
Premier League 2026-27 Relegation Odds |
|
|---|---|
|
Hull City |
1/4 |
|
Coventry City |
8/13 |
|
Ipswich Town |
4/6 |
|
Sunderland |
2/1 |
|
Crystal Palace |
11/2 |
|
Leeds United |
11/2 |
|
Fulham |
11/2 |
|
Nottingham Forest |
6/1 |
|
Brentford |
7/1 |
|
Bournemouth |
9/1 |
|
Everton |
9/1 |
|
Manchester City |
14/1 |
|
Brighton |
22/1 |
|
Tottenham |
33/1 |
|
Newcastle United |
33/1 |
|
Aston Villa |
50/1 |
|
Chelsea |
50/1 |
|
Liverpool |
150/1 |
|
Manchester United |
150/1 |
|
Arsenal |
150/1 |
Summer of Change For Manchester City
Regardless of the outcome from the 115 charges case, it promises to be a summer of change for Manchester City.
Guardiola’s departure has the potential to have a huge impact on the club, while influential figures Bernardo Silva and John Stones are also leaving.
Former Chelsea boss Maresca will have the unenviable task of filling Guardiola’s shoes and ensuring the club continue to compete for the biggest trophies next season.
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On why he defended City so strenuously during his time as manager amid the 115 charges case, Guardiola said: “I trust them. I spoke with them and trust how they behave and how they did. What happened, happened.”
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach added: “There will be a resolution, but nobody from the staff, of the backroom staff or mainly the players and the manager was here.”
And asked if he will return to Manchester for a news conference once the verdict is finally announced, Guardiola said: “If you find me, yeah, but that will be difficult.”
Sports
Tottenham Eyeing Man City Defender John Stones
Tottenham are interested in signing one player who has been called up to the England squad for the World Cup ahead of the summer transfer window.
It’s certainly not going to be a quiet summer transfer window for Spurs, with a number of players already linked with departures.
Some in the Tottenham squad won’t want to be without European football, and the North London club failed to qualify after being involved in a relegation battle.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side managed to avoid dropping down to the Championship after securing a win over Everton on the final day.
After such a disappointing couple of years, the Tottenham hierarchy will undoubtedly want to back De Zerbi, especially after he turned things around for them in the second half of the season.
Man Utd Eyeing Move to Sign ‘Special’ Tottenham Star in £60m Deal
Manchester United are looking to take advantage of Tottenham’s difficult last few years.
Tottenham Eyeing Man City Transfer
According to a report from the Independent, Tottenham are now considering a deal to sign John Stones to bring in some ‘badly needed leadership’ in the summer transfer window.
Signing a new centre back could be one of their priorities, with Cristian Romero and Micky van der Ven both linked with departures.
Stones is set to be a free agent in the summer after it was confirmed that he will be leaving Manchester City following the expiration of his contract.
After years of bringing in young talents from around Europe, adding some experience to their squad could certainly be beneficial to avoid being dragged into another relegation battle.
Stones Still Won’t Come Cheap
According to David Ornstein, when John Stones signed a new deal at the Etihad Stadium back in 2021, the Man City defender was given a deal worth £250,000 a week.
Even if Tottenham are going to secure Stones’ signature on a free transfer, it’s still not going to come cheap, considering the wages they may have to offer.
If Stones is going to want to remain in the Premier League heading into the 2026-2027 season, there’s every chance he may have to drop his wage demands.
Signing Stones on £250,000 a week might not be the smartest idea, especially as he struggled to play regularly in recent years due to injuries.
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